1978 Bristol 40 vs 1983 Pearson 31 — Comparison
1978 Bristol 40
1983 Pearson 31
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Bristol 40 | 1983 Pearson 31 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Pearson |
| Year | 1978–1983 | 1983–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Ted Hood | William Shaw |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 7.77 m (25.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.4 m² (672 ft²) | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Bristol 40 and 1983 Pearson 31 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Bristol 40 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the 1983 Pearson 31 is a 1980s offering from Pearson from USA. The 1978 Bristol 40 was penned by Ted Hood. The 1983 Pearson 31 was designed by William Shaw.
In terms of size, the 1978 Bristol 40 measures 12.19m (40.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.35m, compared to the 1983 Pearson 31 at 9.45m (31.0ft) with a 3.10m beam. The 1978 Bristol 40 is 2.74m longer than the 1983 Pearson 31. The 1978 Bristol 40 displaces approximately 89% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1978 Bristol 40 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.63 and 62.4 m² of sail area. The 1983 Pearson 31, with an SA/D of 15.35 and 40.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1978 Bristol 40 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1978 Bristol 40 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 24.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.67). The 1983 Pearson 31 has a comfort ratio of 21.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1978 Bristol 40 and 42.1% for the 1983 Pearson 31, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1978 Bristol 40 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 189L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The 1983 Pearson 31 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 68L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Bristol 40 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The 1978 Bristol 40 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1978 Bristol 40 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1978 Bristol 40 · 1983 Pearson 31